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Hi! Sorry it’s taken me so long to update since I got home. I wanted to have something to actually write about first! Let me introduce the Takeoff Tote!

So, I spent all last week prototyping our next bag! I need to get a few patterns written before I go back to Sydney, (hopefully in January, anyone have any American Airlines miles you aren’t going to use? :P) so I didn’t have ages to contemplate what my next bag should be. I tossed a question up in the Facebook group and got a lot of awesome replies, so I made a list of things to sketch on the plane. Even though I said I wouldn’t do a big bag next (they are unreasonably difficult to photograph the process pics for) I couldn’t get over how useful a small travel or boarding bag would be for me in that moment. :)

Prototype #1: Too tall, not deep enough, but loved the concept.

Prototype #2: Too deep for the top zip, and my math failed me for perfectly straight sides. I blame the excitement of wanting to make another one. :)

Prototype #3: Fixed my math and went in between with the depth. Perfection. Love.

On the way to Sydney, I had a duffel with my liquids bag, change of clothes, and last minute stuff perched on top of my wheeled carry-on bag that I’d filled with my heavy cameras, cables and other electronics, but it kept falling off. FAIL. Any bag I made needed a suitcase sleeve and a front pocket for the liquids bag.

Then coming back, I skipped the wheeled carry on. I left nearly everything behind so I can bring more next time! So I just threw the bare essentials like my laptop and some snacks in my Daytripper and a reusable bag. I realized a top-of-the-suitcase-tote would have been just as useful even without the suitcase, because at least everything in my Daytripper would have fit, plus the snacks, and I’d only have one bag to keep track of. A few of you also said it would be a great teacher tote or road trip tote. And if you never travel with a wheeled suitcase, the handle sleeve on the back can be a pocket!

My 11″ MacBook Air Gadget Guard and some random things for scale. It’s 16″ x 12″ x 5.5″ and opens WIDE with one of my signature zipper techniques. I added two simple pockets on the inside so you can either do your own thing with an iPad or folder sized pocket or eliminate them for last-minute-everything bag. The lining is finished and has a sturdy bag base sleeve.

I wanted this bag to be practical and functional and very low effort. :) Straight sides and a basic top zip make this happen. I don’t want you to spend more time making this bag than it takes you to travel to your destination, especially if it will be set on the airplane or car floor! I am using quilting cotton + woven fusible + foam batting for the pattern, but the world won’t end if you use home dec or something sturdier or more waterproof, or if you choose to substitute something for the foam. I managed to nail down the size and shape in just three prototypes (I usually make six to eight) so it’s very straightforward and I think you’ll like it for holiday travel and gift giving!

I’m going to hurry up and WRITE IT so that I can get to to you in early December. Then I’m tempted by a smaller cross-body (in between the Daytripper and Two Zip Hipster), a messenger bag, and a zip around wallet (if I can figure out the zip around without binding!) so I’ll jump right into one of those and hopefully have it done by the end of the year. I’ve also got a simpler tote idea that I’m working on for right before I leave.

Just a heads up that there will be a Black Friday sale,
and Bob didn’t even have to talk me into it or take over the site!
I’ll post more about that Thursday night!

Bob update: He sent me this picture of how he vacuumed the flat… by standing the sofa and coffee table on end. :P He also added a Star Trek control panel to my sewing room that swishes when you walk by, and bought a dozen rolls of paper towels and 400 bottles of water at Costco. I think he’s enjoying taking the ferry to work. At this point it’s all about paying for me to get back there, so if you could do anything to spread the word about DUMD patterns, it would be truly appreciated! Bob’s working tons of overtime so there’s like a 75% chance he’ll be your guard at some point if you live in Sydney, so watch out for him (or rather listen for his awesome announcements!)

Pupdate: Sam and Loki are doing great and we’re moving forward with their shots and tests to be able to fly to Bob, even though we have no idea how we’re going to afford the entire process. But going without them isn’t an option (irony? them going without me IS an option), so they are being troopers with all the shots and tests and the snow. I missed them so much and Bob misses them even more!

Comments

Love this tote, Erin! I can’t wait to make one! I actually have some fabric I’m thinking about using. Can you give me an idea of how much fabric and length of zipper? I’m guessing 18 inch to be safe? I’d love to be prepared!

It’s funny………I recently found a larger wallet pattern to try, but when I was reading through the directions I found them to be very confusing! I’m debating on whether or not to even tackle it. I know for sure your pattern would be easy to follow, Erin! Can’t wait!

I am so excited for this! It’s just what I need for some gifts for people who are not “purse-y”. ;-) As usual your trick for the bottom will be most appreciated!

On IG, I couldn’t, for the life of me, figure out that Bob vacuuming post. Now I get it – couch and table on their sides – doh!

You *really* need to get your patterns out to LQS’s. I realize, though, that it’d be a gigantic printout! Maybe you can sell them as a PDF on media or a one-time use download link. I have just been so frustrated at some I’ve recently purchased that are 4-6 half-size pages of diagrams. GRRR!

I usually get your patterns right after their release because the quality of your patterns and instructions is just amazing! Do you have plans to setup a pattern subscription? I will join yours in a heartbeat if you have one and I’m sure others will too!

A cross-body, a messenger bag, or a zip around wallet. One each please!

Hehe thanks! No plans for a subscription – my current shopping cart program doesn’t offer it. More importantly, I never know how long it takes me to prototype and write each pattern (plus the now added moving target of a move date) so I can’t guarantee a regular release schedule. I was tempted to do it by way of a kickstarter type fundraiser (with certain contributions = the next 3 or 6 or 10 patterns) with the idea that getting me to my gorgeous new sewing room in Sydney means more patterns sooner, but I am not sure the tradeoff of promoting a kickstarter vs. just writing another pattern would be worth it? Tempted though…so tempted!

I rarely travel but I’ve recently been trying to figure out what I want to start carrying back and forth from work (to hold my snacks and stuff) besides my floppy-folds-into-pocket nylon bag I got from the IKEA travel section. I’m tired of it spilling its contents in my car and I’ve been wanting a zipper closing bag.

And when I have to take my machine to a day job, I really need something that will fit over the telescoping handle on my wheeled machine case. This is perfect! I was considering making a Daytripper, but this solves at least 2 of my dilemmas with one bag!

I can’t wait for the pattern! If you need a tester, sign me up! I’ve got the last three weeks of the year off of work at this point. =)

I hope everything works out easily and quickly with your move and getting the dogs to Australia!

Hi. I love your new design travel tote Erin. Could I make a small request for a convertible pocket on the outside of the back of the bag. The pocket would have a zipper on the BOTTOM which you could unzip to convert it into a sleeve to go over the handle of your flight carry on trolley.

Have a sleeve (not zippable) on a fairly ordinary travel bag, but how good would it be to have a sleeve on a tote as well?

Just an extra note to say I made, amongst others of your patterns, a much admired 75% size Daytripper bag, which is the best bag I have ever made. So a big thank you for your huge instructions, best ever.

I am so excited about your patterns, Erin; your currently available, as well as your up-and-coming ones! I am on a secret mission to make every one. I, too will buy them on the day of their release! Thank you!